Podiatry News

An extremely painful condition that we treat often at Gentle Professional Foot Care is the ingrown toenail. An ingrown toenail is one that is curving downward and begins to grow into the skin around the nail bed. This results in toe that is red and swollen and warm to the touch. The pain is severe, so much so that you probably can’t bear to think of the foot doctor even touching it. However, left untreated, an ingrown toenail can become infected, creating a more dangerous situation.

Why do Nails Grow Inward?

There are a few situations that can cause a toenail to take a wrong turn. These include:

·Improper cutting. This is the most common cause. When you cut your nail too short it is very easy for the skin to fold over the edge of the nail and allow the nail to grow inward. You should also always cut your nails straight across—curved edges encourage ingrown nails.

·Poor footwear choices. Wearing shoes that are consistently too small (which many people do) or socks that are too tight can put pressure on the toenails, pressing them up against the skin for long periods of time and encouraging them to start growing in.

·Heredity.

·Trauma. Severely stubbing your toe or dropping a heavy object on it may result in the toe later becoming ingrown. Those whose toes experience repetitive trauma of hitting into the front of the shoe, such as runners or those who play a sport that involves kicking, have an increased risk of this condition.

·Nail problems. Other nail conditions, such as a fungal toenail may also lead to an ingrown nail.

Stop the Pain

Fortunately, taking care of an ingrown toenail is fairly simple. Our podiatrist, Dr. Charles A. Suleskey will gently numb the toenail area and remove the corner that is growing into your skin. Patients usually experience immediate pain relief and can get back to their active lives. So if you have an ingrown nail, don’t keep suffering—contact our Venice office today at: 941-493-7999 today.